Farewell to Frost: The end of a detective story | The Independent Farewell to Frost: The end of a detective story David Jason's character joins a long line of retired sleuths Saturday 3 April 2010 23:00 BST Click to follow The Independent Online When a famous detective bites the literary dust there is only ever one culprit: the author, in the study, with the pen. Tomorrow, a television era will draw to a close with the last ever episode of A Touch of Frost. The real mystery that will grip viewers, however, is exactly how the grumpy Detective Inspector Jack Frost, played by David Jason, make his exit after 17 years on our screen. The ending of the two-parter (the first episode is broadcast tonight) is a closely guarded secret. In fact, two endings have been filmed to prevent leaks. "Whether he just hangs up his hat or is carried out feet first remains to be seen," Jason said. To kill or not to kill your detective is one of the biggest dilemmas successful with which crime authors have to wrestle.

Television crime writer and Alex Rider author Anthony Horowitz, who created Foyle's War, said he would never kill off his char- acters, but added that for an elderly author a death at least ensures no one else can come along and take the character on. "I'm very glad I didn't kill Foyle when ITV axed the series last year, because they've just decided they want to bring it back," he said. "I put a bullet in Alex Rider at the end of the fifth novel and I was inundated with letters from parents and children. I had no intention of killing him – it was a cliffhanger. I don't like killing off my characters. They are so much a part of me. Why should I kill them? I'd prefer them to go into gentle retirement." Ruth Rendell, who writes the best-selling Inspector Wexford novels, explained why she would never write out her creation. "I wouldn't want to kill Wexford because I wouldn't want to bring him back, and that's what people find they have to do," she said. "I think it was an awful mistake to kill Morse because he was so popular. I don't know if Colin Dexter regrets that at all.

I don't know how Wexford will end. I've got a few ideas, but I can't tell you because I will be inundated with mail. I may do nothing. He may just go on." Colin Dexter, the creator of Inspector Morse, has no regrets about the death of his detective, however. "I didn't kill him off," he said. "He died of natural causes. He drank a bottle of Glenfiddich every day, tried every day to give up smoking, and took pride in never taking any exercise. It was always to be expected that the old boy wouldn't last too long. "We had done 33 episodes and he aged and grew less fit as we went. He was over 60 and we don't want a doddery old boy solving crimes. I also felt I'd said enough about him. Fans were only really bothered about the relationship between Morse and Lewis and I was getting a little bit cliché ridden." He added: "I won't bring him back. Resurrections haven't got a good record – and some bishops might argue not even the greatest Resurrection of all.

"I've written a couple of short stories about him as a teenager at Oxford University, but it's a good idea to say 'that's enough'." Starsky and Hutch Starsky and Hutch were tough, cool but also sensitive in this pioneering buddy cop show renowned for its jazz-funk theme tune, red Gran Torino and hip snitch called Huggy Bear. Paul Michael Glaser and David Soul played the cops who policed the streets of fictional Bay City in California for 93 episodes between 1975 and 1979. Sherlock Holmes With his pipe, cocaine habit and sidekick Dr Watson, Sherlock Holmes has provided the template for the brilliant but flawed detective. Arthur Conan Doyle wrote 56 short stories and four novels between 1893 and 1927 and the character has been played by numerous actors, most recently Robert Downey Jr. Poirot, Hercule Poirot The famous Belgian was created by crime-writer supreme Agatha Christie. Hercule Poirot appeared in 33 novels and 51 short stories between 1920 and 1975, often alongside his friend, Captain Arthur Hastings.

Since 1989, David Suchet has embodied the polite but stern detective in 64 episodes of Agatha Christie's Poirot for ITV. A Touch Of Frost, Jack Frost Ill at ease with the modern world, shambolic and always at odds with his superiors – in particular his boss, Superintendent Norman Mullett – Frost has solved numerous murders in the fictional English town of Denton in 42 episodes since 1992. David Jason cast off Del Boy to bring R D Wingfield's grumpy but warm detective William Edward "Jack" Frost to life. Inspector Morse Crossword-loving Morse cleared up murders aplenty in Oxford with his sidekick Lewis since his creation by the author Colin Dexter in 1975. John Thaw brought him to life in 33 television episodes between 1987 and 2000. Monk, Adrian Monk Former homicide detective Adrian Monk, played by Tony Shalhoub, has OCD which is no good for the San Francisco police force. But his attention to detail has won him cases and ratings in the 125 episodes between 2002 and 2009.

Dixon Of Dock Green, George Dixon PC George Dixon was the lowly beat bobby who was just as much concerned with the welfare of his east London community as he was with solving the low-level crimes that came his way. Played by Jack Warner, the character was famous for his "Evenin' all" catchphrase. The show ran for 432 episodes from 1955 to 1976. Heartbeat, Nick Rowan Nick Rowan pottered about on motorcycles in the fictitious Yorkshire town of Ashfordly for this 1960s-set series, which relied heavily on the era's music but not its sex or politics. The cosy show began in 1992 and initially starred Nick Berry. Rowan bowed out in 1998, after 96 episodes. Taggart, Jim Taggart "There's been a murrrrder" was the favourite saying of Jim Taggart – and often they were pretty grim and gruesome. The actor Mark McManus played the tough Glaswegian cop based in Maryhill police station until his death in 1994.

The show, first broadcast in 1983, has continued without him, albeit with a different detective, and is now up to its 103rd episode. The Shield, Curtis Lemansky Curtis "Lem" Lemansky, played by Kenny Johnson, was the rogue cop with a conscience in the cult US drama The Shield, causing friction with his three buddies for 88 episodes between 2002 and 2008 as they policed LA. Cagney and Lacey Christine Cagney and Mary Beth Lacey brought a new feminism to TV as a couple of tough broads – one married, one single – dealing with rape and alcoholism in New York, in 125 episodes between 1982 and 1988. Sharon Gless and Tyne Daly starred. Magnum, P.I, Thomas Magnum Thomas Magnum, private investigator, lived the high life in a 200-acre beachfront estate in Hawaii as the guest of an unseen author. Helped by English estate manager Higgins, he solved cases for clients who, more often than not, were beautiful women.

Tom Selleck starred in the 162 episodes between 1980 and 1987. Dempsey and Makepeace Opposites attracted in this odd-couple drama which paired working-class New Yorker James Dempsey with Lady Harriet Makepeace, as played by Michael Brandon and Glynis Barber. The tension of the show's 30 episodes between 1985 and 1986 was more will-they-or-won't-they than whodunnit. Life On Mars, Sam Tyler DCI Sam Tyler travelled back from the Noughties to the 1970s in this coma-induced suspension-of-disbelief storyline which allowed the writers to put a modern cop in a Sweeney-style milieu. John Simm starred in the popular 16 episodes between 2006 and 2007, and the 1980s-set sequel Ashes to Ashes has just returned. Prime Suspect: Jane Tennison DCI Jane Tennison of the Yard was the queen of police drama in Lynda La Plante's Prime Suspect.

It was played with award-winning aplomb by Helen Mirren, with gritty storylines that took on issues such as sexism, prostitution, child abuse and paedophilia. Tennison's no-nonsense tough exterior masked a battle with alcoholism as the 14 episodes – normally more than an hour long – progressed between 1991 and 2006. Howdunnit? We know who they are: the greatest fictional detectives ever. We know, too, that their stories have come to an end. But what we want to test here is how their creators drew a line under their careers. Match the question to the investigator above (answers below)... 1. Producers were going to bring which high-living detective down with a mobster's bullet, but relented due to an outcry from some of his 18 million fans? 2. Which smartly turned-out, wax-moustachioed detective died from a heart condition after pushing his medicine out of reach, when he himself became the murderer in his last case? 3. This detective may be taken out feet first, or might live happily ever after. 4.

Which New York cop had his best friend fraught with worry after being laid low by a criminal's bullet in the last episode? He was scheduled to die so that he could be replaced by his television brother, but producers saved him and axed the show instead. 5. These two detectives have survived everything from shooting to rape to alcoholism and lived to see three "reunions" in the 1990s. 6. Which tough-talking Scottish detective was buried in a 1995 episode called "Blue Orchid", yet the show still continues with his name? 7. Which mobile officer swapped two wheels for four legs by emigrating to Canada to become a mountie? 8. This detective was so committed to ending the reign of his nemesis, Professor Moriarty, that he fell with him over the Reichenbach Falls during a fight in 1893. He returned 10 years later, because of public demand. 9. Which queen of TV detectives retired after a devastating final episode in which she battled with the bottle and dealt with the death of her father? 10. Which detective was so stuck in the past that he leapt from a police station roof? 11.

Which detectives married in real life after their obvious on-set chemistry gave their series the sexual tension it is remembered for? 12. This obsessive detective was poisoned in the final episode, but fortunately had a few days to find a cure. 13. Which beat bobby rose from the dead after being shot by Dirk Bogarde in The Blue Lamp to live long enough to retire after his long-running series? 14. Which rogue cop fell out with his friends, one of whom blew him up by dropping a grenade in his car? 15. This cerebral cop died from "natural causes" after paying the price for a lifetime of beer and whisky drinking, and physical laziness. Answers 1. Magnum; 2. Poirot; 3. Frost; 4. Starsky; 5. Cagney and Lacy; 6. Taggart; 7. Nick Rowan; 8. Sherlock Holmes; 9. Jane Tennison; 10. Sam Tyler; 11. Dempsey and Makepeace; 12. Monk; 13. George Dixon; 14. Curtis Lemansky; 15.

Inspector Morse More about: A Touch of Frost (TV series) A Touch of Frost (TV series) A Touch of Frost (TV series) Genre based on the characters created byR. D. Wingfield Starring Barbara ThompsonJon Hiseman (1992–97)Ray Russell (1999–10) No. of series 34 x 100 Mins 6x 75 Mins Production company(s) 4:3 (1992–2000)16:9 (2001–10) Original run 30 October 1992 – 5 April 2010 Status Edit Block Series title card A Touch of Frost is a television detective series produced by Yorkshire Television for ITV from 1992 until 2010, initially based on the Frost novels by R. D. Wingfield.It stars David Jason as Detective Inspector William Edward "Jack" Frost, known almost universally as Jack, an experienced and dedicated detective who frequently clashes with his superiors. In his cases, Frost is assisted by a variety of different detective sergeants, with each bringing a different slant to the particular case.

Comic relief is provided by Frost's interactions with the bureaucratically-minded Superintendent Norman Mullett, played by Bruce Alexander.The series is set in the fictional South-Midlands town of Denton, and is marked by a gritty tone. The role of Frost was notable in changing the public perception of David Jason from a predominantly comic actor to a dramatic actor. Main characters Edit Block DI Jack Frost, as depicted by the comic actor David Jason, is a very empathic and sensitive detective, whose talents are offset by human failings. This is marginally different to how he is portrayed in the novels, where he often lacks empathy and has a gruff, coarse, almost offensive tone. He is frequently shown to shirk paperwork, leaving his subordinates to do the work. Frost is widowed in the first episode. He had planned to leave his wife but just as he was going to tell her she announced that she had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. After going on a drinking session, he recklessly approached an armed man, who shot him. As a result of this he was awarded the highest British civilian award for gallantry, the George Cross. He is respected and admired by his colleagues and is shown to be a good-hearted, if flawed, character.

Superintendent Norman Mullet (played by Bruce Alexander), a social climber concerned with appearances and ambitious for promotion, is Frost's boss and his constant foil on the job. Mullet has a love-hate relationship with Frost whose detective skills he admires but whose people and political skills he abhors. Mullet frequently threatens to sack Frost but Frost's ability to close cases usually saves him. In addition, receiving the George Cross made Frost "the Chief Constable's blue-eyed boy", thus protecting Frost from being sacked or retired by Superintendent Mullet. Frost's nickname for Mullet is "Horn-rimmed Harry" due to the traditional design of his spectacles and Frost also has a plastic, mounted grey mullet hanging on his office wall (a grey mullet is a species of fish commonly found in British coastal waters but not usually eaten as it is regarded as being bland). While, in early seasons, the relationship between Frost and Mullet largely mimicks the hostile and antagonistic one they share in the books, they are portrayed as getting on considerably better in later seasons. This coincides with Mullet himself slowly developing over time to become more likeable than when he first appears in the pilot episode.

Setting Edit Block It is believed that Denton is in Oxfordshire, with many references to Reading, Oxford, and in particular, Swindon, especially in the earlier episodes, as the M4 and A417 are often seen, and the map of Swindon was seen in the control room, although a map of Reading was used occasionally. The programme is produced by ITV in Leeds, and most of the outdoor locations are shot in West Yorkshire. Several scenes are filmed in and around the city and district of Wakefield and neighbouring small towns of Pontefract and Castleford, West Yorkshire. Main cast N/A Character Descriptions: Supporting cast Unlike most TV detectives, Frost does not have a single regular sidekick, and indeed some of his sidekicks are seen in only one or two episodes. There are, however, a number of regular supporting characters who are frequently seen and often promoted to a "sidekick" role: DS George Toolan (John Lyons), Jack's long-time friend and colleague, with whom he shares an office. George is about the same age as Jack, but a rank lower. Though he is more cautious, George is steadfastly loyal to Frost. He appears (in some capacity) in most episodes.

Originally DCI Allen's assistant, he is later partnered with Frost in most episodes. In the first novel his name was George Martin, but as 'Toolan' he was retained for the series and remained one of the three original police characters still with the show. George was killed in Frost's final episode, the victim of a maniac driver. DS (Previously WPC) Hazel Wallace (Caroline Harker) is a young, happy-go-lucky uniformed officer. In the first novel, she was originally named Hazel Page and did not appear in any subsequent books, replaced in succession by other female officers, but was retained in the series for continuity. In the first episode she starts a relationship with DC Clive Barnard, but this quickly fizzles out when he is transferred away from Denton. Upon his temporary return in Season 3, Barnard attempts to rekindle their romance, but she is in another relationship. At the end of the same series she moves to CID, and though she ceased to be a regular she continued to make guest appearances in later series, and was promoted to detective sergeant. DC Clive Barnard (Matt Bardock), nephew of the Chief Constable.

Most people believe he has only got into CID through his family connections, but Frost sees beyond that after the first episode and takes Barnard under his wing. Later promoted to DS, but he dies in the line of duty and Frost, saying Clive is the real hero, places his George Cross on Clive's body apparently to be buried with him. DS Sharpe (Philip Jackson) is nicknamed "Razor" as a pun because he appears not to be very sharp. In the episode "Near Death Experience", Frost describes him as a "plodder" who "double checks everything", adding "that's just the sort of person I need." DS Bill Dorridge (Paul Jesson) was assigned by newly promoted Asst.C.C. Cremond to replace DS George Toolan who was temporarily reassigned to "community duties" due to disciplinary action. Dorridge is an amiable by-the-book detective with experience in most investigative sections, especially liking commercial fraud. DS Terry Reid (Robert Glenister). A tough London detective who has suffered from alcohol and drug addictions in the past, Frost finds out he is on Methadone the first time we meet him.

He has often been in trouble in the past for his extreme methods, though he has mellowed by the time we meet him. Aside from the "sidekicks", there are other regular characters who appear throughout the show and contribute to the advancement of the plot in various ways. These include police characters and civilians: Sandy Longford (Bill Stewart), a newspaper journalist who is always pestering Frost for information on his latest case, and sometimes has some useful information of his own. PC Ernie Trigg (Arthur White), the police archivist of paper files and the pre-computer information. He helps Frost with knowledge of known associates and crime methods he has collected over the years that are not available in the computers. He is played by David Jason's real-life brother. Shirley Fisher (Lindy Whiteford), is a nurse and Frost's most frequent love interest. She appears in eight episodes. DCI Jim Allen (Neil Phillips), the first DCI in the series. In the novels he and Frost are twin DIs (his upcoming promotion to Chief Inspector is mentioned in the first book, but never seems to come about), and he appears to share Mullet's dislike of Frost.

In the series however he and Frost get on quite well, often working together, sharing jokes about Mullet and concern for each other's emotions on particularly harrowing cases. They share only one significant argument in the series. He appears in Season 1 and 2 only, and is temporarily replaced by DCI Charles Hawkes in the first episode of Season 3. DCI Jim Peters (Nigel Harrison), seemingly replaces Hawkes as the DCI of Denton CID. He is more laid-back and humorous than Allen and appears to have a good relationship with Frost. He is seen in Seasons 4 and 5, but is gone from 6 onwards. He is the last DCI in the series, with Frost himself taking over the position in all but name for the rest of the show. Production The saxophone solo heard during the show's theme music was performed by Barbara Thompson. The series is based on the novels of R. D.

Wingfield: Frost at Christmas (1984) A Touch of Frost (1987) Night Frost (1992) Winter Frost (1999) A Killing Frost (2008) At a press conference in London on 15 September 2008, David Jason announced that he will quit the role of DI Jack Frost. Jason's main reason for quitting the role was that he is now the oldest detective on television and he felt that it was 'natural' to retire as Frost. Sir David said: "You wouldn't want me to play Frost in a wheelchair, would you?" "Frost is getting a little long in the tooth. I still enjoy doing it and it's a great part but I just think he's got to retire. It'll be a sad day." The last series was broadcast in the UK on Easter Sunday and Bank Holiday Easter Monday, 2010.

Episodes A Touch of Frost A Touch of Frost Original release 6 December 1992 – 5 April 2010) A Touch of Frost is a television detective series produced by Yorkshire Television (later ITV Studios ) for ITV from 6 December 1992 until 5 April 2010, initially based on the Frost novels by R. D. Wingfield . Writing credit for the three episodes in the first 1992 series went to Richard Harris . [1] [2] The series stars David Jason as Detective Inspector William Edward “Jack” Frost , an experienced and dedicated detective who frequently clashes with his superiors. In his cases, Frost is assisted by a variety of different detective sergeants, with each bringing a different slant to the particular case. Comic relief is provided by Frost’s interactions with the bureaucratically-minded Superintendent Norman “Horn-rimmed Harry” Mullett, played by Bruce Alexander . A number of young actors had their major debut as supporting cast in the show, including: Matt Bardock , Ben Daniels , Neil Stuke , Mark Letheren , Colin Buchanan , Jason Maza , Damian Lewis and Marc Warren .

Contents 9 External links Background The series is set in the fictional South Midlands town of Denton, and is marked by a gritty tone. It is believed that Denton is in either Berkshire or Oxfordshire, though there are many references to Reading , Oxford , and in particular, Swindon . In the earlier episodes, the M4 and A417 were often seen, and the map of Swindon was seen in the control room, although a map of Reading was used occasionally. The programme was produced by ITV in Leeds , and most of the outdoor locations were shot in West Yorkshire . Several scenes were filmed in and around the city and district of Wakefield and neighbouring small towns of Pontefract and Castleford , West Yorkshire. [3] The role of Frost was notable in changing the public perception of David Jason from a predominantly comic actor to a dramatic actor. At a press conference in London on 15 September 2008, David Jason announced that he would be quitting the role of DI Jack Frost. Jason’s main reason for quitting the role was that Frost was by now the oldest detective on television and he felt that it was ‘natural’ to retire as Frost.

At 68, a police detective would already have been retired for eight years. Sir David said: “You wouldn’t want me to play Frost in a wheelchair, would you?… Frost is getting a little long in the tooth. I still enjoy doing it and it’s a great part but I just think he’s got to retire. It’ll be a sad day.” [4] Several episodes have direct allusions to “Star Trek”. Dr McCoy’s catchphrase “I’m a doctor not a…” is heard in several episodes, turned into “I’m a police surgeon, not a…” or “I’m a pathologist, not a…”. Frost himself states that “the only place with more warp factors than Denton is Starship Enterprise”, in response to a remark by Mullett about warped minds. Jack Frost was voted Best Detective Of All Time. The award was presented to him by Paul Martin. Cast David McKail as Dr. David McKenzie (1992-2008) David Gooderson as Dr.

Derek Simpkins (1992—2006) Characters Main characters DI William Edward “Jack” Frost ( David Jason , 1992–2010), is a very empathic and sensitive detective, whose talents are offset by human failings, which includes drinking other people’s tea and coffee. This is marginally different from how he is portrayed in the novels, where he often lacks empathy and has a gruff, coarse, almost offensive tone. He is frequently shown to shirk paperwork, leaving his subordinates to do the work. Frost is widowed in the first episode. He had planned to leave his wife but just as he was going to tell her she announced that she had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. After hearing this news he went on a drinking binge and recklessly approached an armed man, who shot him. As a result of this he was awarded the highest British civilian award for gallantry, the George Cross . He is respected and admired by his colleagues and is shown to be a good-hearted, if flawed, character. In the first novel, his name is shown to actually be Jack Frost, when DC Barnard finds his GC in a drawer and the inscription reads, “To Jack Edward Frost”.

It was felt by the producers that the name Jack Frost was implausible for the TV series, so Frost was given William as his real first name, with Jack becoming a nickname. Superintendent Norman Mullett ( Bruce Alexander , 1992–2010), a social climber concerned with appearances and ambitious for promotion, is Frost’s boss and his constant foil on the job. Mullett has a love-hate relationship with Frost whose detective skills he admires but whose people and political skills he abhors. The long-suffering Mullett frequently threatens to sack Frost, but Frost’s ability to close cases usually saves him. In addition, receiving the George Cross made Frost “the Chief Constable ‘s blue-eyed boy”, thus protecting Frost from being sacked or retired by Mullett. Frost’s nickname for Mullet is “Horn-rimmed Harry” due to the traditional design of his spectacles. Frost also has a plastic, mounted grey mullet hanging on his office wall; a grey mullett is a species of fish commonly found in British coastal waters but not usually eaten as it is regarded as being bland.

His first name was given in the novel “Hard Frost” as Stanley – however this novel was not written until a couple of years after the name Norman was given to the character by the writers of the TV series. Detective Sergeants DS George Toolan ( John Lyons , 1992–2010), Jack’s long-time friend and colleague, with whom he shares an office. George is about the same age as Jack, but a rank lower. Though he is more cautious, George is steadfastly loyal to Frost. Originally DCI Allen’s assistant, he is later partnered with Frost. In the first novel his name was George Martin, but as ‘Toolan’ he was retained for the series. He is known to have a wife, Mary, who confronts Frost after George is injured by falling from a flight of stairs. He was one of only three characters who stayed with the show until its demise, and was only the second main character to be killed off in the history of the show. His death plays a role in Frost’s decision to retire, as he no longer sees the office as a safe haven to escape his outside troubles without George there.

Annie Marsh ( Cherie Lunghi , 2008) is a hardworking detective from Manchester who is not keen on Frost’s methods of cutting corners and bending the rules to get a result. Once, before she and Frost were posted at Denton, she reported him for endangering the life of a young PC and being unprofessional – something which he took to heart and still remembers to this day. Bill Dorridge ( Paul Jesson , 1999–2000) was assigned by newly promoted Assistant Commissioner Cremond to temporarily replace DS George Toolan, who was temporarily reassigned to “community duties” due to disciplinary action. Dorridge is an amiable by-the-book detective with experience in most investigative sections, especially liking commercial fraud. Billy “Razor” Sharpe ( Philip Jackson , 1999–2005) is nicknamed “Razor” as a pun because he appears not to be very sharp. Frost describes him as a “plodder” who “double checks everything”, adding, “that’s just the sort of person I need.” Although he retired from divisional CID, he returned to help Frost investigate a case of an old friend in the episode “Near Death Experience”.

Clive Barnard ( Matt Bardock , 1992–1997) was the nephew of the Chief Constable. Most people believe he has only got into CID through his family connections, but Frost sees beyond that after the first episode and takes Barnard under his wing. Later promoted to DS, he dies in the line of duty and Frost, saying Clive is the real hero, places his George Cross on Clive’s body apparently to be buried with him. He appeared in the first novel and was carried across onto the series for continuity. Frank Nash ( Neil Stuke , 1996) is a young, hardworking officer, who after a move up to Denton from London, is trying to settle down with his wife and start a family. However, the long hours that Frost makes him work begins to put a strain on his marriage, he and his wife decide to up sticks and move back to London. Frost tipped Frank for good success and wished him all the best. Hazel Wallace ( Caroline Harker , 1992–2003) is a young, happy-go-lucky uniformed officer.

In the first novel, she was originally named Hazel Page and did not appear in any subsequent books, replaced in succession by other female officers, but was retained in the series for continuity. In the first episode she starts a relationship with DC Clive Barnard, but this quickly fizzles out when he is transferred away from Denton. Upon his temporary return, Barnard attempts to rekindle their romance, but she is in another relationship. At the end of the same series she moves to CID , and though she ceased to be a regular she continued to make guest appearances in later series, and was promoted to detective sergeant. Liz Maud ( Susannah Doyle , 1997) is a high-flying west end detective, looking to use her skills and tactics to work her way up the ranks and become detective inspector – even attempting to get Frost suspended by ratting him out to Mullett to do so. Although she and Frost developed a working relationship, she decided to return to the west end after Mullett refused her promotion.

Maureen Lawson ( Sally Dexter , 1994–2003) is a strong willed, hardworking lesbian detective, who sometimes lets her personal judgement get in the way of a decent result. She left divisional CID in 1994 after becoming too involved with one of the cases she was working on, but later returned to help Frost investigate the murder of a local businessman in the episode “Another Life”. Rab Prentice ( Russell Hunter , 1996) is an old-fashioned laidback Scottish detective, whose stint in Denton CID will mark his last service before retirement. Although capable of obtaining his own information and getting a result, sometimes he needs a push in the right direction from Frost. His constant bemoaning of sex and relationships, and repeated remarks to Frost about old age easily rile the inspector. To Frost’s shock, Prentice applies for the “ill health pension” at the end of the episode (citing “stress”) in order to retire early and embark on a relaxed lifestyle.

Sandy Gilmore ( Tony Haygarth , 1992) is a chain-smoking copper of the 80s, who is seconded to Denton CID to cover the number of officers on sick leave. Although he inappropriately tries to smoke in the houses of people he is interviewing, and gets a reprimand, Frost begins to like his sense of policing. Terry Reid ( Robert Glenister , 2001–2003) is a tough London detective who has suffered from alcohol and drug addictions in the past. He has often been in trouble in the past for his extreme methods, though he has mellowed by the time we meet him. Frost takes a liking to him after he gets to know him. Frost’s curiosity leads him to ask Trigg to find out about Reid’s military background in the Parachute Regiment. Upon reading Reid’s military file, he finds about an act of bravery for which he was awarded the Military Medal . Other characters PC Ernie Trigg ( Arthur White , 1994–2010) (David Jason’s real-life brother), the police archivist of paper files and the pre-computer information.

He helps Frost with knowledge of known associates and crime methods he has collected over the years that are not available in the police computer system. He and Frost knew each other long before they were both stationed at Denton. DCI Jim Allen (Neil Phillips, 1992–1994), the first DCI to feature in the series. In the novels, he and Frost are twin DIs, although his upcoming promotion to Chief Inspector is mentioned in the first book, but never seems to eventuate. Frost and Allen hate each other due to their vastly-different work ethic and attitudes, although begrudgingly co-operate on several cases. A recurring theme in the novels is Allen’s absence from Denton Station (either sick or temporarily acting as DCI at another station), which leaves Frost under enormous pressure to manage the incoming caseload. In the series however, he and Frost get on quite well, often working together, sharing jokes about Mullett and concern for each other’s emotions on particularly harrowing cases. There is only one significant argument between them, when Frost is taken off a serial-rape case. Allen was also retained and written-in to several of the storylines he was absent for in the novels.

He is mentioned in the second episode of the third series but is never seen again. DCI Jim Peters (Nigel Harrison, 1996–1997), seemingly replaces temporary DCI Charlie Hawkes. He does not feature in any of the original novels. He is more laid-back and humorous than Allen and appears to have a good relationship with Frost. He is the last DCI featured in the series, with Frost himself taking over the position in all but name for the rest of the show. Jack’s girlfriends Shirley Fisher (Lindy Whiteford, 1992–2000), the nurse who cared for Jack’s terminally ill wife. She later develops a relationship with Jack after a chance encounter at Denton General Hospital, which continues on for some time, but the relationship is strained when Shirley begins to realise she can’t cope with the demands of Jack’s job, and feels that he has his priorities the wrong way round. The pair decide to separate, and although Jack, on several occasions, seems to regret their parting, especially in “Line of Fire”, the two remain separated.

Kitty Rayford ( Gwyneth Powell , 1997), an ex-prostitute who Jack knew in her youth, when she often passed through the station and spent a night or two in the cells. She and Jack meet again in “Penny for the Guy”, when he crashes into her car after skipping a temporary red light. The pair maintain a very physical relationship, until they go their separate ways in “True Confessions”, when Frost realizes he cannot give Kitty the ongoing companionship she so desperately desires. Christine Moorhead ( Phyllis Logan , 2010), an RSPCA officer who works with Jack to help crack his final case, involving dog fighting. She later becomes a key witness in a murder, and the couple become closer. Jack finds himself bonding with her teenage children, and as such, the pair decide to marry. However, on their wedding day, her ex-husband, in a drunken fit of jealousy, tries to kill Jack by ploughing into the side of his car in his 4×4. However he misses, instead killing DS George Toolan. It is on the strength of his relationship with Christine that Jack decides to retire, now that he has something outside the station to live for.

Production A Killing Frost (2008) Despite the show still being produced when the last two novels were written, they were never used as source material for episodes, possibly due to their more graphic subject matter. “Hard Frost” was the last and perhaps most closely referenced novel filmed, and was split across two almost-unrelated episodes due to its length. This also occurred with “A Touch of Frost” (split across three episodes) and “Night Frost” (two episodes, although the element of DS Gilmore’s marriage break-up was used in season 4 episode “The Things We Do for Love”, which has no other reference to “Night Frost”, for the series-only character of DS Nash). By discarding several minor sub-plots in “Frost at Christmas”, the two major cases were able to be investigated in the one episode, being the pilot “Care and Protection”. This novel, and the pilot, introduced the characters of Frost, Mullet, DI Allen (DCI in the series), DS George Martin (Toolan in the series), Sgt. Bill Wells, Sgt.

Johnny Johnson, DS Arthur Hanlon (uniform sergeant in the series), DC Barnard, PC Jordan, PC Simms, WPC Hazel Page (Wallace in the series), PC Stringer, newspaper reporter Sandy Lane (Longford in the series), Dr. McKenzie, pathologist Drysdale (Simpkins in the series), his assistant Miss Grey, and Shirley, Frost’s on/off love interest. The iconic saxophone solo heard during the show’s theme music was performed by Barbara Thompson . [5] The aspect ratios of A Touch of Frost have been the subject of discussion. From series 1 through to 5, the series was originally shown and transferred to DVD in the 4:3 aspect ratio (which was still mostly the UK television norm in the 1990s). From series 6 onwards, the show was shown in a widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio. The DVD releases reflected this change. However, from 2012, ITV3 HD have been broadcasting a growing number of episodes of the series in high definition, remastered from the original 16mm source. In these HD versions, even the opening series are shown in widescreen.

Comparisons to the 4:3 version of the shows (still available on DVD) have shown that the frame has been “opened-up” to include previously unseen parts of the frame. This means that the episodes fit the widescreen ratio without cropping out important material. [6] Episodes

Question: Who created the fictional TV Detective Inspector Frost?
Answer: R. D. Wingfield